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Introduction: At the beginning of the 2020-2021 academic year, the government, health organizations, and educational institutions had to face the implementation of protocols and action plans within the classrooms to prevent COVID-19. Aim. This study aimed to analyze the thoughts and concerns of Spanish teachers during the academic year 2020-2021. Method: The study involved the participation of 965 teachers (74.3% Women; M[subscript age] = 43.5 9.9). An ad hoc questionnaire comprising 38 items was utilized, focusing on the resources offered by the administration for the return to classrooms, teachers' concerns about this new academic year, and their thoughts on ideal teaching conditions. Results: Differences were observed based on age and gender in the management (P1) (p = 0.02) and support (P2) (p = 0.04) from the educational administration, perceived security (P3) (p = 0.01), reduction of the working day (P5) (p = 0.002), and the adequacy of material (P6) (p = 0.004) and human (P8) (p = 0.04) resources. Teachers with greater experience exhibited differences in the items P2 (p = 0.03), P3 (p = 0.03), and P8 (p = 0.03). Conclusions: Less experienced teachers expressed higher levels of concern, while those with more teaching experience highlighted the need for additional human resources and training.

The present study aims to comprehensively assess the solar irradiance patterns in the western zone of the Mantaro Valley, a region of ecological and agricultural significance in the central Peruvian Andes. Leveraging radiation data from the Baseline surface Radiation Network (BSRN) sensors located in the Huancayo Geophysical Observatory (HYGO-12.04°S,75.32°W, 3350 masl) spanning from 2017 to 2022, the research delves into the seasonal variations and trends in surface solar irradiance components. Actually, the study investigates the diurnal and seasonal variations of solar irradiance components, namely diffuse (EDF), direct (EDR), and global (EG) irradiance. Results demonstrate distinct peaks and declines across seasons, with EDR and EDF exhibiting opposing seasonal trends, influencing the overall variability in, EG. Peaks of, EG occurred in spring (3.32 MJ m−2 h−1 at noon), particularly during October (24.14 MJ m-2 day-1), probably associated with biomass-burning periods and heightened aerosol optical depth (AOD). These findings highlight the impact of biomass-burning aerosols on solar radiation dynamics in the region. In general, the seasonal variability of, EG on the HYGO is lower than that observed in other regions of South America at higher latitudes and reach its maximums during spring months. Moreover, the research evaluates various irradiation models to establish correlations between sunshine hours, measured with a solid glass sphere heliograph, and, EG and EDF at different time scales, showing acceptable accuracy to predict. In addition, the sigmoid logistic function emerges as the most effective in correlating the hourly diffuse fraction (KDh) and the hourly clearness index (KTh), showcasing superior performance compared to alternative functions and exhibiting strong statistical significance and providing valuable insights for future solar radiation forecasting and modeling efforts. This study offers valuable insights for solar radiation forecasting and modeling efforts, emphasizing the importance of interdisciplinary research for solar power generation, sustainable development and climate resilience in mountainous regions like the Peruvian Andes.

Velázquez, Mariana Cecilia. Cultural Representations of Piracy in England, Spain, and the Caribbean. Travelers, Traders, and Traitors, 1570 to 1604. Routledge, 2023. 235 pp.

IntroductionThe term emotional eating (EE) describes the tendency to eat as an automatic response to negative emotions and has been linked to anxiety and depression, common symptoms among the university population. The EE tendencies have also been associated with excessive internet use and an increase in alcohol intake among young university students.MethodsThe aim of this study is to examine the relationship between the tendency towards EE and other health-compromising behaviors, such as excessive internet use or high alcohol intake. Additionally, it aims to investigate the association of these risky behaviors with the participants’ performance level in a virtual reality (VR) task that assesses their executive functioning, and to assess impulsivity and levels of anxiety and depression.ResultsThe results associate EE with excessive internet (r = 0.332; p

El cooperativismo, desde su surgimiento, ha promulgado un modo de aglutinar a productores de diversos objetos o encargos sociales en un tipo de empresa que respalde la colectividad y el bien común de la sociedad a la que se sirve. Este fenómeno constituye un tema de investigación emergente en temáticas interdisciplinares de la ciencia. La presente investigación parte de la aplicación de métodos teóricos y el análisis documental para localizar referentes teóricos sobre la gestión de empresas cooperativas como temática en la socialización del conocimiento científico. Se realizó un análisis de dominio de la temática gestión de empresas cooperativas para visualizar las principales revistas y autores que abordan resultados científicos relacionados con la temática. Se utilizó como fuente de información el Observatorio de Acceso Abierto desarrollado por la Universidad de Pinar del Río, el cual compila información académica proveniente del Directorio de Revistas de Acceso Abierto y facilita la representación de la información desde diferentes parámetros. Se aplicaron indicadores bibliométricos para visualizar las instituciones, autores y países más distintivos, se evidencia que la temática es poco socializada en la comunidad científica, existiendo en el período analizado (2003-2022) inestabilidad en la producción científica. La presente investigación arrojó la necesidad de extender el estudio hacia otras fuentes de información, con énfasis en el idioma inglés. Además, permitió analizar el comportamiento de las publicaciones sobre la materia, disponibles en acceso abierto, específicamente aquellas que se enmarcan en la aplicación de temas relacionados con las Ciencias Económicas.

Introduction. At the beginning of the 2020-2021 academic year, the government, health organizations, and educational institutions had to face the implementation of protocols and action plans within the classrooms to prevent COVID-19. Aim. This study aimed to analyze the thoughts and concerns of Spanish teachers during the academic year 2020-2021. Method. The study involved the participation of 965 teachers (74.3% Women; Mage = 43.5 9.9). An ad hoc questionnaire comprising 38 items was utilized, focusing on the resources offered by the administration for the return to classrooms, teachers’ concerns about this new academic year, and their thoughts on ideal teaching conditions. Results. Differences were observed based on age and gender in the management (P1) (p = 0.02) and support (P2) (p = 0.04) from the educational administration, perceived security (P3) (p = 0.01), reduction of the working day (P5) (p = 0.002), and the adequacy of material (P6) (p = 0.004) and human (P8) (p = 0.04) resources. Teachers with greater experience exhibited differences in the items P2 (p = 0.03), P3 (p = 0.03), and P8 (p = 0.03). Conclusions. Less experienced teachers expressed higher levels of concern, while those with more teaching experience highlighted the need for additional human resources and training.

Abstract This study aimed to optimize the production of bio-oil from Leucaena leucocephala wood using a fluidized bed reactor. Response surface methodology was used to optimize the fast pyrolysis through three operational parameters: pyrolysis temperature, nitrogen flow rate, and temperature of the first condensation stage. The optimum conditions obtained for bio-oil production were 500 °C, 26.4 L min–1, that is, about 3.3 times the minimum fluidization flow, and 80 °C, respectively. The bio-oil obtained under optimum conditions was of good quality and did not require further treatment. Physical properties of the bio-oil were analysed according to ASTM D7544-12. In addition, the chemical composition of the non-condensed gases and bio-oil were identified using GC–MS. The non-condensed gases were found to contain mainly ketones and lignin derivatives, while the bio-oil contained cyclic ketones, alcohol ethers, aromatic alcohols, and lignin derivatives. The study found that increasing the pyrolysis temperature did not significantly increase the yield of H2 and CO for syngas production. Regarding the solid obtained, a large amount of unreacted material (66.7 wt.%) is generated at 400 °C, and as the temperature is increased, a high-quality biochar is obtained.

This study explores the potential of non-hazardous wastes for crafting an engineered soil-like material (Technosol) suitable for landfill capping applications. Three distinct materials—waste foundry sand (WFS), washing aggregate sludge (WAS), and composted biosolids (CBS)—were strategically combined to develop this innovative Technosol. The formulation process involved a comprehensive analysis of their physical–chemical properties, mineral composition, leachate quality, and a series of geotechnical assessments to ensure compliance with landfill top cover construction standards. The blend 90WFS/10WAS showed optimal geotechnical properties for constructing a protective layer, including maximum dry density (1.77 g cm−3), void ratio (0.4), CBR index (23.2), cohesive strength (40 kPa), internal friction (ϕ = 30°), and permeability coefficient (k = 1.48 × 10−6 cm s−1). Further enhancement was achieved by adding 10% CBS, resulting in the development of a functional organo-mineral topsoil horizon (81WFS/9WAS/10CBS). Importantly, leachate analysis confirmed the negligible environmental footprint of this Technosol. Moreover, a pot-based experiment with Brassica juncea planting validated its capacity to support plant growth and establish a vegetative cover on the landfill surface.

Multicomponent exercise is a physical exercise modality in which various physical qualities (strength, cardiorespiratory endurance, flexibility, and balance) are developed with an equal distribution of volume in the same session (approximately 60 min) and that has been little explored in improving the quality of life of older adults. The aim of this study was to verify the effect of multicomponent training on self-perceived quality of life in Chilean overweight or obese older people. To this end, a quasi-experimental study with a control group was designed to evaluate self-perceived Quality of Life using the World Health Organization Quality of Life, brief version [Overall Quality of Life (OQOL); Overall Health (OH); Physical Health (PH); Psychological Health (PsH); Social Relations (SR); Environment (E)]. Seventy overweight or obese people aged between 60 and 86 years participated (M = 73.15; SD = 5.94) and were randomized into a control group (CG, n = 35) and an experimental group (EG, n = 35). The results in the EG (pre vs. post-intervention) indicated that there were statistically significant differences in OQOL (p = 0.005), OH (p = 0.014), PH (p < 0.001), PsH (p < 0.001), E (p = 0.015), and SR (p < 0.001) which were not found in the CG in any of the variables (p > 0.050) except in SR (p < 0.001). Regarding sex, post-intervention differences were only found between CG and EG in women in OQOL (p = 0.002), PH (p < 0.001), PsH (p = 0.003), and SR (p < 0.001), but not in OH or E (p > 0.050). These differences were not found among men in any of the variables (p > 0.050). As a conclusion, we can say that a multicomponent physical exercise program applied for 6 months significantly improves the perception of OQOL, OH, PH, PsH, SR, and E in overweight or obese older people. This perception is greater in men than in women.

Despite the abundance of registered clinical trials worldwide, the availability of effective drugs for obesity treatment is limited due to their associated side effects. Thus, there is growing interest in therapies that stimulate energy expenditure in white adipose tissue. Recently, we demonstrated that the delivery of a miR-21 mimic using JetPEI effectively inhibits weight gain in an obese mouse model by promoting metabolism, browning, and thermogenesis, suggesting the potential of miR-21 mimic as a treatment for obesity. Despite these promising results, the implementation of more advanced delivery system techniques for miR-21 mimic would greatly enhance the advancement of safe and efficient treatment approaches for individuals with obesity in the future. Our objective is to explore whether a new delivery system based on gold nanoparticles and Gemini surfactants (Au@16-ph-16) can replicate the favorable effects of the miR-21 mimic on weight gain, browning, and thermogenesis. We found that dosages as low as 0.2 μg miR-21 mimic /animal significantly inhibited weight gain and induced browning and thermogenic parameters. This was evidenced by the upregulation of specific genes and proteins associated with these processes, as well as the biogenesis of beige adipocytes and mitochondria. Significant increases in miR-21 levels were observed in adipose tissue but not in other tissue types. Our data indicates that Au@16-ph-16 could serve as an effective delivery system for miRNA mimics, suggesting its potential suitability for the development of future clinical treatments against obesity.

El presente estudio trata de ahondar en la figura de Manuel García de Santiago miembro que conformaba la saga de los García de Santiago. Esta familia de artistas se asentó en Sevilla con la figura de Bartolomé García de Santiago a mediados del siglo XVII y mantuvieron su labor artística hasta principios del siglo XIX. Para ello se pretende realizar un vaciado bibliográfico al respecto sobre el personaje, analizando una nueva obra artística documentada a partir de su restauración en el año 2016. Se trata de la imagen de Nuestra Señora del Rosario, titular mariana de la Hermandad Sacramental de la parroquia de San Bartolomé de Mairena del Alcor, en la provincia de Sevilla. Palabras clave: Escultura; Manuel García de Santiago; Sevilla; Parroquia de San Bartolomé de Mairena del Alcor; Virgen del Rosario; Barroco.

La prestación de atención médica en entornos críticos exige la posesión de sólidas habilidades interpersonales y de comunicación. La evidencia ha demostrado que la comunicación efectiva y el trabajo en equipo tienen un impacto significativo en la reducción de errores y la mejora de la calidad de la atención médica. El debriefing, una estrategia que permite a los equipos reflexionar sobre sus acciones y mejorar de manera conjunta, se ha convertido en una herramienta especialmente valiosa para los servicios de salud. La efectividad del debriefing se apoya en una amplia base de evidencia respaldada por organizaciones de salud internacionales que lo consideran y recomiendan como una práctica estándar. Sin embargo, la implementación del debriefing enfrenta diversos desafíos debido a limitaciones de tiempo y capacitación. En este contexto, el modelo TALK© debriefing, una herramienta estandarizada, diseñada para crear espacios seguros donde los equipos puedan identificar aspectos positivos y áreas de mejora, se presenta como una solución efectiva y de fácil implementación. A pesar de los obstáculos, su aplicación puede mejorar significativamente el rendimiento del equipo, destacando su valiosa contribución en entornos críticos y de urgencia. Se recomienda su implementación y se subraya la necesidad de investigaciones futuras para adaptarlo a contextos específicos de atención médica.

Objective/Context: In this article, we examine how Chinese demand for pelts—of sea otters and other marine mammals—fueled the eighteenth-century competitive expansion of European and later American merchants and explorers in the Pacific islands and along the Pacific coast of North America. Sea otter pelts were a commodity directly linked to the creation of a Pacific Ocean economy, and California’s colonization resulted from imperial dynamics to which this trade gave rise. Methodology: Using both primary and secondary sources, we examine how these merchants’ quest to supply the lucrative Chinese luxury market with furs—“soft gold”—brought them into contact with indigenous peoples whose livelihoods and commercial networks would also be recruited into this global market but on quite unequal terms and with devastating consequences. Originality: The growth of this Pacific trade throughout the eighteenth century fueled geopolitical rivalries that led to the colonization of California with a system of missions and military garrisons (presidios) and, eventually, to a new ecology as a result of plants and animals brought from New Spain before the Gold Rush and the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo. Many, including Marx and Engels, have claimed that the Gold Rush contributed significantly to the dynamics of industrial capitalism; nevertheless, we argue that its conditions of possibility were laid out centuries earlier via the complex geopolitical and ecological connections through which this Pacific economy was articulated. Conclusions: During the eighteenth century, the Pacific’s products were extracted and commodified in circuits whose demand center was China. It is precisely the prior existence of these global markets—centered on silver and “soft gold,” or sea otter furs—that explains the presence of Europeans and Americans in California eager to prospect for the yellow metal in 1848.

Doñana National Park is located in the southwest of the Iberian Peninsula, where water scarcity is recurrent, together with a high heterogeneity in species and ecosystems. Monitoring carbon assimilation is essential to improve knowledge of global change in natural vegetation cover. In this work, a light use efficiency (LUE) model was applied to estimate gross primary production (GPP) in two ecosystems of Doñana, xeric shrub (drought resistant) and seasonal marsh (with grasslands dependent on water hydroperiod) and validated with in situ data from eddy covariance (EC) towers installed in both ecosystems. The model was applied in two ways: (1) using the fraction of absorbed photosynthetically active radiation (FAPAR) from Sentinel-2 and meteorological data from reanalysis (ERA5), and (2) using Sentinel-2 FAPAR, reanalysis solar radiation (ERA5) and the Sentinel-2 land surface water index (LSWI). In both cases and for both ecosystems, the error values are acceptable (below 1 gC/m2) and in both ecosystems the model using the LSWI gave better results (R2 of 0.8 in marshes and 0.51 in xeric shrubs). The results also show a greater influence of the water status of the system than of the meteorological variables in this area.

This research aimed to explore the changes produced in body mass index (BMI), fat mass percentage (FMP), muscle mass percentage (MMP), and visceral fat percentage (VFP) in 60-year-old or over overweight or obese people after a multicomponent exercise program. This quasi-experimental study involved 70 overweight or obese older people between 60 and 86 years old (M = 73.15; SD = 5.94) who were randomly assigned to a control group (CG, n = 35) and an experimental group (EG, n = 35). At the beginning and at the end of the intervention program, anthropometric and body composition data were collected. The results showed an increase in BMI after the intervention in the CG (p = 0.010) and a decrease in the EG (p < 0.001). The results regarding the FMP indicate a significant decrease in the EG (p < 0.001) after the intervention, as occurs with the VFP (p = 0.003). The MMP increased in the EG (p < 0.001) after the intervention program. Regarding gender, statistically significant differences were found in the MMP after the intervention (p = 0.025), with higher percentages in men in the EG. VFP decreased in both men (p = 0.005) and women (p = 0.019) in the EG. From the results obtained, we can say that a 6-month multicomponent program produces a decrease in BMI, FMP, and VFP and an increase in MMP in its participants. This type of intervention seems to produce a greater increase in muscle mass in men than in women and a decrease in VFP in both genders.

Objective: The aim of the study was to analyze dietary habits, alcohol habits, emotional eating and anxiety in a sample of Spanish nursing students. These students appear to be essential to the field of public health and to teaching their future patients about their own good practices. Methods: A cross-sectional investigation was conducted. Participants completed the Emotional Eater Questionnaire, the Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test (AUDIT) test to evaluate alcohol intake, the State-Trait anxiety Inventory (STAI) test to measure levels of anxiety as a state and anxiety as a trait, and self-reported sociodemographic data. Following classroom instruction, three-day food records were used to gauge food intake. Results: The calorie intake for the macronutrients Ca, Mg, K, and Fe were below the Recommended Dietary Intakes (DRI) and imbalanced. The percentage E of proteins was 132.7 % more than recommended, while the percentage of carbohydrates is below the recommended level. Dietary energy consumption barely equaled 78 % of the total energy consumed by this sex and age group. With respect to emotional eating, nursing women students were low emotional eater (44 %) > emotional eater (30 %) > non-emotional eater (22.7 %). The students' emotional eating is substantially connected with fast food and sweets, or less healthy food intake behaviors. According to the Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test (AUDIT), 82.7 % of female students used alcohol on a regular basis in a low-risk manner. Conclusion: The findings demonstrated a link between anxiety and dietary fat intake. Trait anxiety was negatively connected with emotional eating (EE), whereas state anxiety was positively correlated with meat consumption. It is crucial to consider these findings when creating prevention/intervention plans and profiles of harmful eating behaviors.

Este trabajo tiene como objetivo el análisis de las garantías procesales para la protección de la igualdad de trato y la no discriminación. Partiendo de una breve introducción sobre las Directivas antidiscriminatorias y su influencia en nuestra legislación, se analizan los cambios operados en la Ley de Enjuiciamiento Civil por las Leyes 15/2022, de igualdad de trato y no discriminación y 4/2023, para la igualdad real y efectiva de las personas trans y para la garantía de los derechos de las personas LGTBI. El nuevo régimen legal conlleva un importante avance en la regulación de los derechos de igualdad de trato y la no discriminación, sin embargo, muchos de los aspectos introducidos por las nuevas disposiciones generan no pocos problemas interpretativos y de aplicación. En ese sentido, se presta especial atención a la ampliación de la legitimación, a la distribución probatoria y, con el ánimo de contribuir a la reflexión, se valora la idoneidad de la tramitación de las demandas de tutela antidiscriminatoria a través del juicio declarativo ordinario.

Background. Based on the fundamental principles of training, the methodology that each coach develops in the planning of sessions can be effective in improving the performance of their athletes. Study purpose. Therefore, the general objective pursued in this study was to find out the type of work carried out by the coaching staffs in their different teams/clubs. Materials and methods. For this work, a descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out on a sample of 517 coaches from different divisions and nationalities. To characterise the sample, descriptive measures were used and Pearson’s chi-square was used to study whether there is a relationship between the variables studied. All statistical analyses were performed with Stata and statistical significance was always set at a p-value < 0.05. Results. The results indicated that the methodology preferred by the coaches for working on the technique was the Coerver and analytical methods. The global and analytical methods were the most used on average by the coaches for tactical work. The coaches, regardless of the division or category in which they train, indicated that strength is the most important capacity to work on. Conclusions. The results of this study can be very useful for future coaching staffs when distributing training sessions and workloads.

The aim of this study was to quantify weekly internal workload across the in-season and compare the workload variables between starter and non-starter Spanish female first league (Liga Iberdrola) football players. Twenty-six participants belonging to the same team (age, height, and mass: 25.4 ± 6.1 years, 167.4±4.8 cm and 57.96±6.28 kg, respectively) participated in this study. Training loads (TL) and match loads(ML) were assessed through breath-cardiovascular (RPE breath ), leg-musculature (RPE leg ) and cognitive (RPE cog ) rating of perceived exertion (RPE0–10) for each training session and match during the in-season phase (35 weeks). Session-RPE (sRPE) was calculated by multiplying each RPE value by session duration (minutes). From these, total weekly TL (weekly TL+ML), weekly TL, weekly ML, chronic workload, acute:chronic workload ratio, training monotony, and training strain were calculated. Linear mixed models were used to assess differences for each dependent variable, with playing time (starter vs non-starter players) used as a fixed factor, and athlete, week, and team asrandom factors. The results showed that total weekly TL(d = 1.23–2.04), weekly ML(d = 4.65–5.31), training monotony (d = 0.48–1.66) and training strain (d = 0.24–1.82) for RPE breath , RPE leg and RPE cog were higher for starters in comparison with non-starters (p = 0.01). Coaches involved in elite female football should consider implementing differentialsRPE monitoring strategiesto optimize the weekly load distribution for starters and non-starters and to introduce compensatory strategies to equalise players’ total weekly load.

Abstract An in vitro trial was carried out to investigate the effects of natural Thymbra capitata essential oil (NEO) and its main compounds [including carvacrol, p-cymene, γ-terpinene given alone or in a synthetic combination (SEO)] on ruminal fermentation and the bacterial community using batch cultures inoculated with ruminal digesta and incubating two different basal diets [high-forage (F) and high-concentrate (C) diet]. After 24 h of incubation, primary fermentation end-products [gas, methane, volatile fatty acids (VFAs) and ammonia] and rumen microbial diversity were determined. NEO reduced the total VFA concentration (P 0.05) by any of the experimental treatments or diets evaluated. Microbial diversity analysis showed only a moderate effect of carvacrol and SEO on 13 genera, including, mainly, Atopobium and Blautia (involved in subacute ruminal acidosis) or Candidatus Saccharimonas (related to laminitis). In conclusion, T. capitata EO has a limited potential to attain nutritional or environmental benefits, but further research should be carried out to clarify its effects on animal health and microbial food safety.

Abstract Introduction Experts agree that there is a need for protocols to guide health professionals on how to best manage psychiatric comorbidities in patients with epilepsy (PWE). We aimed to develop practical recommendations for key issues in the management of depression in PWE. Methods This was a qualitative study conducted in four steps: (1) development of a questionnaire on the management of depression in PWE to be answered; (2) literature review and, if evidence from guidelines/consensus or systematic reviews was available, drafting initial recommendations; (3) a nominal group methodology for reviewing initial recommendations and formulating new recommendations on those issues without available evidence; and (4) drafting and approving the final recommendations. A scientific committee (one neurologist and one psychiatrist) was responsible for the development of the project and its scientific integrity. The scientific committee selected a panel of experts (nine neurologists and nine psychiatrists with experience in this field) to be involved in the nominal group meetings and to formulate final recommendations. Results Fifteen recommendations were formulated. Four on the screening and diagnosis: screening and diagnosis of depression, evaluation of the risk of suicide, and diagnosis of depression secondary to epilepsy; nine on the management of depression: referral to a psychiatrist, selection of the antiseizure medication, change of antiseizure medication, antidepressant treatment initiation, selection of antidepressant, use of antidepressants during pregnancy, use of psychotherapy, antidepressant treatment duration, and discontinuation of antidepressant treatment; two on the follow-up: duration of the follow-up under usual conditions, and follow-up of patients at risk of suicide. Conclusion We provide recommendations based on expert opinion consensus to help healthcare professionals assess depression in PWE. The detection and treatment of major depressive disorders are key factors in improving epilepsy outcomes and avoiding suicide risk.

This study aimed (1) to investigate the effect of a brief 9-week bike program on preschool motor competence levels and (2) to know the effects of the intervention program on gender. A total of 98 schoolchildren (3.86 ± 0.91 years) from La Coruña (Spain) participated. A pre–post-test quasi-experimental design was used with a control group (CG) made up of 39 students (18 boys) and an experimental group (EG) made up of 59 students (29 boys). Data were gathered using the Movement Assessment Battery for Children-2 (MABC-2). The data demonstrate that the CG and the EG differ significantly from one another before the intervention program in favour of CG in manual dexterity (MD; p < 0.001), balance (Bal; p = 0.003), total test score (TTS; p = 0.001), and total percentile score (TPS; p < 0.001), except in aiming and catching (A&C, p = 0.588). After the application of the 9-week intervention program based on the balance bike, these differences disappear (i.e., MD (p = 0.166), A&C (p = 0.372), Bal (p = 0.219), TTS (p = 0.306), and in TPS (p = 0.259)). The information gathered indicates that implementing intervention programs such as the one applied in this study could have a positive impact on improving motor competence in preschool-aged boys and girls, increasing its level.

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound impact on various aspects of our lives, affecting personal, occupational, economic, and social spheres. Much has been learned since the early 2020s, which will be very useful when the next pandemic emerges. In general, mobility and virus spread are strongly related. However, most studies analyze the impact of COVID-19 on mobility, but not much research has focused on analyzing the impact of mobility on virus transmission, especially from the point of view of monitoring virus incidence, which is extremely important for making sound decisions to control any epidemiological threat to public health. As a result of a thorough analysis of COVID-19 and mobility data, this work introduces a novel measure, the Infection Ratio (IR), which is not sensitive to underestimation of positive cases and is very effective in monitoring the pandemic’s upward or downward evolution when it appears to be more stable, thus anticipating possible risk situations. For a bounded spatial context, we can infer that there is a significant threshold in the restriction of mobility that determines a change of trend in the number of infections that, if maintained for a minimum period, would notably increase the chances of keeping the spread of disease under control. Results show that IR is a reliable indicator of the intensity of infection, and an effective measure for early monitoring and decision making in smart cities.

The traceability of granite blocks consists in identifying each block with a finite number of colour bands that represent a numerical code. This code has to be read several times throughout the manufacturing process, but its accuracy is subject to human errors, leading to cause faults in the traceability system. A computer vision system is presented to address this problem through colour detection and the decryption of the associated code. The system developed makes use of colour space transformations and various thresholds for the isolation of the colours. Computer vision methods are implemented, along with contour detection procedures for colour identification. Lastly, the analysis of geometrical features is used to decrypt the colour code captured. The proposed algorithm is trained on a set of 109 pictures taken in different environmental conditions and validated on a set of 21 images. The outcome shows promising results with an accuracy rate of 75.00% in the validation process. Therefore, the application presented can help employees reduce the number of mistakes in product tracking.

El present treball pretén ser una lectura dels autoretrats de Francesca Woodman. En concret, Self-Deceit I, House 3, i About Being My Model. L’eix vertebrador de la lectura serà una anàlisi de com la representació d’un cos en constant desplaçament —que, a partir de Foucault, anomenarem utòpic— problematitza, a l’obra de Woodman, la noció d’autoretrat tradicional i resisteix als límits del medi fotogràfic. En la lectura, estructurada en tres parts, s’estudiaran els recursos principals que empra la fotògrafa per a representar un cos utòpic: el mirall, el camuflatge i la màscara.

Leucaena leucocephala is a fast-growing leguminous biomass with great energetical and value-added chemical compounds potential (saccharides, biogas, bio-oil, etc.). Using the thermogravimetric and derivative thermogravimetric curves, the different trends followed by L. leucocephala during pyrolysis, 0.25 equivalence ratio (ER) of gasification, 0.50 equivalence ratio of gasification and combustion were analyzed, and the activation energies were obtained by Distributed Activation Energy Model (DAEM) method. Gas samples were collected through adsorption tubes during the gasification at 0.25 ER and 0.50 ER to observe the distribution of the main chemical products in this process by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry and were compared with pyrolysis products. It was found that small amounts of oxygen have changes in the kinetics of the process, leading to significant decreases in the activation energy at the beginning of the degradation of components such as cellulose (from 170 to 135 kJ mol−1 at 0.25 conversion at 0.50 ER gasification). The activation energy of lignin disintegration was also reduced (342 kJ mol−1), assimilating the beginnings of gasification processes such as the Boudouard reaction. 0.50 ER gasification is potentially an interesting process to obtain quality bio-oil, since a large amount of hexane is detected (44.96%), and value-added oxygenated intermediates such as alcohols and glycols. Gasification at 0.25 ER, on the other hand, is much more similar to pyrolysis, obtaining a wide variety of short-chain compounds resulting from the disintegration of the main lignocellulosic components, especially ketones such as 1-hydroxypropan-2-one (19.48%), and notable amount of furans and anhydrosugars like d-allose (5.50%).